Speaking at the Bar Ilan University after hundreds of victims of terrorism and their supporters demonstrated outside the Prime Minister's residence against an impending release, MK Yogev said that the terrorist release was a direct result of American pressure.

“Tonight we were at a protest rally outside the Prime Minister's residence in which we cried out against this release,” he said. “This release was forced upon us by the contemptibility of the American government. They wanted to make gestures so the negotiations with the Palestinians would start. No democratic country would ever agree to such a move.”

Yogev also blasted the idea of the Americans releasing Jonathan Pollard in exchange for Israel agreeing to release the fourth tranche of terrorist murderers that it promised to free. On Wednesday morning it was reported that the U.S. had made such an offer, but State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki later denied the report.

“Jonathan Pollard should have been released long ago. This experimental balloon, of freeing terrorists in exchange for Pollard, is a disgrace. Murderers should never be released,” declared Yogev.

Asked why the Jewish Home party does not threaten to quit the coalition if the fourth release goes through, he admitted that “there had not been a decision in our faction to leave the government over this shameful deal. It was only later that we understood how serious this deal was.”

“If they try to release Arab Israelis as part of the fourth batch, we will not let the government make such a step,” added Yogev.

“We need to gather, the entire party, so that our position is a strong one,” he continued. “This is a serious ethical dilemma. Releasing terrorists could harm the lives of many Israelis. I cannot answer the question of what caused the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to make this decision, but I turn most of my criticism towards the American regime.”